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 Despite the fact that marijuana proved to have a
 dramatic and obvious effect upon their conditions, patients
 frequently discounted the responses of their own bodies and
 initially attempted to convince themselves that marijuana was not
 actually workingo _-_/ Thus, nearly all patients stopped smoking
 marijuana in order to _test # its medical utility® -6_/ This
 rejection appears to be a characteristic of many nervous
 diseases--particularly multiple sclerosis--and results as well
 '_
 from the negative stigma associated wi_% marijuana smoking. 9-_/
 Likewise, since marijuana is expensive and often hard to acquires
 -it is an illegal dl_/g_patients frequently have been forced to
 interrupt their treatment due to lack of finances or inability to
 locate a supplier. _/ Upon cessation of use, patients
 experienced rest_mption of spasticity_ _-_[/
 <
 Uniformly, patients reported to their physicians that
 they experienced dramatic improvements in their spastic condi_
 tions with no adverse effects. _5-8/ At the same time_ patients
 6__._/ _ Affidavit of Valerie Cover; _ 49_51_ 53; Affidavit of
 Greg Paufler, _ 48-50_ 56-58_
 656/ See Affidavit of Martha Hirsch, _ 25 (inability to secure
 marijuana due to financial diffi_alties); Affidavit of David
 Branstetter, _ Ii, 13 (same).
 _ f_5// Affidavit of Martha Hirsch, I 26 (upon cessation of
 marijuana smoking, painful muscle spasticity returned, lost
 locomotive ability, vision faded and became wheelchair bound).
 658/ "Affidavit of Valerie CoverB _ 54, 61 (no reported adverse
 effects; drug is certainly safe, especially vis-a-vis other drugs
 .._ prescribed) _ Affidavit of David Branstetter, _ 34_ 38 (mind-
 (continuedo o. )
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